SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (KENYA)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Entrepreneurship
  • Study Abroad Destination: Kenya
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Tackle social challenges with innovative business in Kenya
GEI’s Full Summer Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Program in Kenya is an eight-week immersive experience that combines academic foundations with applied, practice-based learning. Designed for students interested in how entrepreneurship can drive social and economic change, the program integrates two complementary, credit-bearing courses that guide students from conceptual exploration to real-world application.

The program begins with BUS312: Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation (Global Field Engagement), a three-week course introducing students to entrepreneurial ecosystems, human-centered design, ethical leadership, and impact-driven business models. Students then continue into BUS313: Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation (Global Practicum), a four-week placement-based course in which they work in supervised teams with local organizations, startups, or innovation hubs on defined projects. Together, the two courses form a cohesive learning pathway that emphasizes systems thinking, collaboration, and ethical innovation.
Program Highlights
  • An 8-week, full-summer Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation program (8 credits)
  • Coursework grounded in human-centered design, business modeling, and impact measurement
  • Community-engaged learning and ecosystem exploration during the first phase
  • Supervised group practicum placements with local organizations and startups
  • Weekly colloquiums, reflection sessions, and cultural activities
  • Mentorship from GEI faculty and local practitioners
  • Final group presentations and comprehensive project reporting
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This program is designed to guide students through a full-cycle innovation process - starting with immersion in the entrepreneurial landscape and culminating in the implementation of a real-world social impact project. The curriculum integrates theory, applied research, and co-creation, enabling students to deeply understand how entrepreneurship can drive inclusive and sustainable development. Structured in two sequential courses, the program begins with a foundation in entrepreneurial frameworks and field exploration, followed by a hands-on practicum with a local partner organization. Weekly cohort colloquia, mentorship, and a final digital portfolio anchor reflection and professional growth.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will:
  • Apply entrepreneurial tools and systems thinking to address real-world social challenges
  • Demonstrate cultural competence and ethical engagement with Kenyan partners
  • Collaborate in diverse teams to co-create impactful business solutions
  • Reflect critically on personal and professional growth as a changemaker
  • Showcase applied competencies in a professional digital portfolio
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: KENYA

The powerhouse of the East African Community, Kenya is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. From the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to volcanic mountains in the Great Rift Valley. From the vast savannahs to the lacustrine highlands near Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake on the continent. Cultural traditions converge in Kenya, making it a dynamic and vibrant place to visit and experience.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

What distinguishes the full summer program is its intentional progression from learning about social entrepreneurship to practicing it in real organizational settings. During the first phase, students explore how entrepreneurs and innovators in Kenya respond to social, economic, and environmental challenges - examining enabling ecosystems, cultural context, and systemic constraints.

Through field-based learning and community-engaged projects, students engage with local entrepreneurs, innovation hubs, and grassroots organizations. These experiences emphasize partnership, ethical engagement, and co-creation, helping students understand how ideas are developed, tested, and adapted within specific contexts.
In the second phase, students transition into structured practicum placements, working in small teams on real-world projects defined by host organizations. Whether contributing to business development, impact strategy, or innovation processes, students gain hands-on experience navigating professional expectations while collaborating across cultures.

Throughout the summer, weekly colloquiums and guided reflection connect theory, practice, and personal development. Final presentations and written reports require students to synthesize learning across both courses - equipping them with the skills and language to articulate their experience in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial settings.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 weeks in Kenya. For this time, GEI Kenya offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summe 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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